|
Happy New Year!
As we welcome 2023, Southern Maine Agency on Aging enters its 50th year of service to older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers in Cumberland and York counties. As we celebrate this milestone, we are reflecting with gratitude and pride on our legacy of providing services and information to empower our clients to live to their fullest potential.
We know where we want to go as SMAA enters the next half-century of service. We aim to eradicate social isolation and loneliness in southern Maine. We prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work. We are energized and poised for greater impact through collaboration within our rich, cross-sector network of community partnerships. We will continue to innovate through technology, new interventions, and measuring the results of our work.
SMAA is thrilled to kick off 2023, our 50th year, by crystallizing this vision into action with a unique, one-time subcontracting opportunity for local community partners. SMAA will recognize the extraordinary work and support of partner organizations delivering vital isolation-reducing services through one-time American Rescue Plan Act funds available. These subcontracts will support organizations working with older adults and their caregivers in York and Cumberland Counties, particularly those with the greatest social and economic need, and/or those that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full RFP and link to the application here.
In the coming weeks, we will do some concerted outreach regarding this opportunity. Still, for now, we want to be sure you, our core ambassadors, are aware of this one-time American Rescue Plan Act opportunity for Community Partners. We hope you will share it with organizations you know that are delivering services to older adults.
With best wishes for the New Year,
Megan Walton, CEO
|
|
|---|
|
AGEWELL WELLNESS CLASSES - Winter Session
Click on the class name to register |
|
|---|
|
*We strongly recommend you take the Intro to Tai Chi at least twice before signing up for the Deepning class
ONLY in January: Agewell Virtual Sampler
Tuesdays | 1 - 2pm | Zoom
Click on the class name to register
The sampler series is a drop-in session, designed to give individuals a sense of these classes prior to registration so that they have a sense of the scope and nature of each program.
|
|
Savvy Caregiver
The Savvy Caregiver is a comprehensive 6 weeks/12-hour training for caregivers of people with dementia
Savvy Caregiver is recognized nationally as a leading evidence-based dementia family caregiver training program. Classes are two hours each and run for a six-week period.
Robyn Berry, LMSW, Family Caregiver Support Program Specialist, has recently been re-certified to teach Savvy Caregiver.
The training provides:
- Knowledge - Learn what dementia is and how it affects personality and behavior.
- Skills - Communicate more effectively with the person you are caring for, making each day better for you both.
- Attitudes - Learn how to take care of yourself to reduce stress.
- The training has the most impact when participants attend all 6 sessions.
Next session: Wednesdays | 2.8.23 - 3.15.23 | ZOOM 2-4pm
To REGISTER: call 207-396-6541 by January 25th, 2023
|
|
|---|
|
Warm Heart, Warm Feet Sock Drive
Join us in our annual
Warm Heart, Warm Feet campaign by donating new pair of warm socks at your local Reny’s Department Store between January 7 and January 31, 2023!
The socks will go to homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and organizations supporting those in need throughout the state.
The drive is organized by Maine’s AmeriCorps Seniors programs RSVP, sponsored locally by the Southern Maine Area Agency on Aging, and The Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs, sponsored locally by The Opportunity Alliance.
It is simple: purchase a pair of socks or more and drop them in the designated bins at Reny's. Thank you!
|
|
|---|
|
Make a Difference in Somebody's Life: Be a Volunteer!
Below are only a few of our open volunteer positions. Explore all SMAA volunteer opportunities, and opportunities with local partner organizations.
1. Southern Maine Agency on Aging is teaming up with Southern Maine Health Care to assist with volunteer aid within the Hospital Elder Life Program. Some of the volunteer responsibilities include:
- Daily Visitor: helping with orientation, communication and social support
- Feeding Assistant: helping set up trays, providing companionship during meals or feeding patients
- Therapeutic Activities: making sure patients have something to do while in bed or providing activities to encourage active participation and socialization
2. HIAS Refugee Resettlement Program at the Jewish Community Alliance is seeking volunteers to assist with grocery shopping for new and established refugee families in the greater Portland area. Volunteers should have a general level of experience shopping in both large superstore-type supermarkets as well as small, local specialty shops. Some of the volunteer options include:
- Pre-Arrival Grocery Shopping
- Recurring Grocery Shopping (with Refugees)
Mary Hadlock and Paul Hofelich are looking forward to hearing from you and what your interests are as a volunteer. Get in touch with them at volunteer@smaaa.org
|
|
|---|
|
The Exchange: Southern Maine Alliance for Older Adults meeting
Wednesday, January 25th, 2023 | 12pm | Zoom
If you are a non-profit, business, volunteer organization, community partner, or simply a member of the community working on behalf of the older adult population in York and Cumberland counties, join us virtually on January 25th, 2023, at noon, for the first of this year networking meeting of The Exchange.
The Exchange is an opportunity for people to connect, collaborate, and share resources as we aim to improve the health and well-being of older adults in Maine.
The focus of this event is Resources for Caregivers
If you or another partner organization would like to provide an update on an available caregiver resource, please email marketing@smaaa.org
|
|
Behaviors: The Good, The Bad, and How to Support Creative Interventions
Kelly McCarthy, author of
Brass Ring Memoirs
January 11, 2023 | 12-1pm | Zoom
Kelly McCarthy, author of "Brass Ring Memoirs," has worked with older adults in the health industry for over 20 years. She is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and Certified Dementia Educator. She is certified as a Master Trainer for the Alzheimer's Association Train the Trainer program.
Kelly will join us via Zoom on Wednesday, January 11th from 12-1pm. Kelly's presentation is on "
Behaviors: The Good, The Bad, and How to Support Creative Interventions." The presentation is in partnership with Avita of Stroudwater and Southern Maine Agency on Aging for a Virtual CEU, sponsored by Rhode Island Geriatric Education Center.
Participants will learn about non-pharmacological approaches to support individuals exhibiting behaviors and the best strategies to support someone during the transition to a new community and care setting. This presentation is for ALL to attend. Professionals will receive one hour of continuing education.
__________________.
Identifying and Responding to Scams
Mike Moloney, Kennebunk Savings
January 26, 2023 | 12-1pm | Zoom
Mike Moloney has worked at Kennebunk Savings Bank for 22 years. He has managed branches in Eliot and York for most of that time. Since 2015 Mike has been the Vice President of Corporate Development and Training for the bank, overseeing all training activities. Mike is an active member of the York County Elder Abuse Task Force and currently serves on the executive committee.
Mike will join us via ZOOM on Thursday, 1/26 from 12-1pm to facilitate a discussion on: "Identifying and Responding to Scams." He will update attendees on the most up-to-date scams, to help us, and our loved ones, stay safe!
Register
|
|
|
If this newsletter was forwarded to you and you wish to join our mailing list, sign up here |
|
|---|
|
|
|
Feeling good about Southern Maine Agency on Aging?
- You or a loved one received meals at your doorsteps
- We partnered to provide programs and services that improved the well-being of the older members in our communities.
- You are the caregiver of a member of our Adult Day Program.
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
 | |
|  |
|
|
|
|
